Kronos caps off top Great Southern season

Talented five-year-old Lord Kronos has completed a terrific Great Southern season with a third victory at the final meeting at Percy Spencer Racecourse last Friday afternoon.

Lord Kronos had two starts for David Harrison before being sent to the Albany stables of Peter Western, where he has since thrived and now boasts an impressive record of four wins and seven minor placings from 19 starts.

Well supported into $3.90 on the tote, Lord Kronos settled just off the speed for jockey Jason Whiting in the USG Boral Handicap (1600m) and sprinted clear in the home straight to down Chasing Chaos by 1¾ lengths on the line.

It was a third victory here this season for the Beaugondo gelding, leaving him just short of tying with Gauged (four wins) as Great Southern horse of the year.

Western was delighted with Lord Kronos’ effort and praised his consistency this campaign, with only three unplaced runs in 12 starts.

“He has won three and run six seconds and a couple of those he’s been beaten a lip,” Western said.

“He’s been really consistent and it’s a pity he’ll be a bit restricted because of his size.

“He deserved to win that.

“He’s an honest horse and very good to work with.”

It ended a solid season for Western as well, his seventh winner in the Great Southern from a small team of horses.

Gauged was crowned the Western Racepix horse of the year with four victories ahead of Lord Kronos, Our Buddy Boy, Mongolian Warlord and Prentice, who were all on three.

Whiting finished fourth in the Great Southern Jockeys’ Premiership after his triumph took his tally for the season to 12. Shaun McGruddy won yet another title with 19.5 wins to defeat Mitchell Pateman (14) and apprentice Brodie Kirby (13).

Earlier in last Friday’s seven-race card, Short Black Roman powered to a convincing 2 ¾- length maiden win for trainer Matthew Scott at his 11-career start.

Scott believes the three-year-old can progress towards a midweek win over distance.

Sportshouse Dream broke through at start number seven for Pingrup’s Alan Smith in race 2.

She dashed clear late to win on the inside rail.